Norwegian farmers face tougher times

The Government has been given support by Parliament (Storting) to continue the cooperation with the so-called G10 nations in the further negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).This will mean reduced import duty on farm produce.. The Government has been given support by Parliament (Storting) to continue the cooperation with the so-called G10 nations in the further negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).This will probably mean that Norway will accept reduced import duties as well as increased import quotas for important Norwegian foodstuffs like cheese, butter and meat.

The G10 nations, which are all importers of food, have high customs barriers in order to protect their own food production, but according to sources, these nations will on Monday propose a 50 per cent cut in these customs barriers.

- The Storting has given the Government support for its view that it would be impossible for Norway to go it alone in the upcoming WTO negotiations, and that it will be absolutely necessary to stand together with among others Switzerland, Japan and South Korea, says Agriculture Minister Lars Sponheim.

Secretary General of the Norwegian Farmers' Union, Harald Milli, says cuts in the import tax will have dramatic consequences for Norwegian farmers.

In his opinion, the Norwegian government must fight against the WTO-proposals